Azharuddin to watch Mohali semi-final

Chandigarh -- Former Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin, banned for life by the Indian cricket board from playing, is officially invited to see the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy at Mohali Wednesday.

"We have sent out invitations to all past Indian captains and BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) presidents. We have no problem in Azharuddin coming here. I don't think that the ICC should have any problem in this matter," Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president I.S. Bindra said.

PCA officials and Taj Hotel sources here confirmed that Azharuddin was reaching here Wednesday and would be at the PCA stadium for the semi-final tie.

The ICC has already expressed its reservation on the issue of Azharuddin being officially recognised after being served a life ban from cricket for match-fixing.

But the ICC objections are being brushed aside by the PCA and BCCI who say that the global body has no authority to interfere in internal matters of Indian cricket.

The BCCI is also honouring Azharuddin at Mumbai this week.

"It is our internal matter. I think we were very harsh with our cricketers like Azhar and others. We must do something to revoke the life ban imposed on him. Players from other countries facing match-fixing charges have got away lightly and are still playing," Bindra said.

BCCI joint secretary M.P. Pandove said that the board would review the ban on Azharuddin only after the matter is formally brought before it.

PCA sources said that the process was already on to get Azharuddin's life ban revoked.